Rick Steves’ Europe: Highlights Of Castile: Toledo And Salamanca

Airs Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 4 p.m. on KPBSTV

Credit: Rick Steves

Above: Rick Steves with a scenic view of Toledo, Spain in the background.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Rick Steves advocates smart, affordable, perspective-broadening travel. As host and writer of the popular public television series RICK STEVES' EUROPE, and best-selling author of 40 European travel books, he encourages Americans to travel as "temporary locals." He helps American travelers connect much more intimately and authentically with Europe — and Europeans — for a fraction of what mainstream tourists pay.

Then, just for fun, we drop in on a bachelorette party with local troubadours, slice and savor tasty jamon, stroll with the crowd, and grab a front-row seat to enjoy Europe's most enchanting square.

This episode originally aired in 2010.

Rick's Travel Philosophy:

Travel is freedom...one of the last great sources of legal adventure. Travel is intensified living, with maximum thrills per minute. It's recess, and we need it. Experiencing the real Europe requires catching it by surprise, going casual...Through the Back Door.

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Video Excerpt: Rick Steves' Europe: Highlights Of Castile: Toledo

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Above: Toledo is so well-preserved and packed with cultural wonder that the entire city has been declared a national monument. It's an ideal place to savor the delights of Spain: cultural, historic and tasty. For more information on the RICK STEVES' EUROPE TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit ricksteves.com.

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Video Excerpt: Salamanca, Spain: Bull Boards to Tuna Bands

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Above: Immerse yourself in the high and vast plateau of central Spain. Visit the sunny, sandstone city of Salamanca and the finest square in spain — Plaza Mayor. Savor some of Europe's best people-watching and take in the centuries old troubador tradition of "Tuna Bands." For more information on the RICK STEVES' EUROPE TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit ricksteves.com.

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Rick Steves' Europe: Toledo, Spain: The Art of El Greco

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Above: No painter before or since has captured the mystery of the spiritual world like the painter El Greco. His unique style of painting developed in Toledo, Spain. Join Rick on a visit to the Santa Cruz Museum, which houses many of El Greco's 16th century works. For more information on the RICK STEVES' EUROPE TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit http://www.ricksteves.com.